Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1887-12-01
A LETTER FROM Mr.. O'BRIEN
TALKS WITH CONGRESSMAN.

Members of the Incoming Congress
Express Their Views ON Questions
of National Interest and Importance.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 30.-The Post to-mor-
row morning will print series of interviews
with nearly a hundred members of Congress
upon the questions which are to be presented
to that body for its action during the coming
session, and particularly those relating to
the tariff, reduction of the surplus revenue
and postal telegraph. The Post will sum-
marize the interviews as follows: Speaker
Carlisle believes in an immediate reduction
of the surplus revenues now pouring into
the treasury. He believes in reducing the
taxes which produce these revenues at least
$40, 000, 900 annually. His Democratic fol-
lowers who voted with Mr.. Morrison in the
last Congress generally take the same
position. OF the few Democrats
who have sided with Mr. Randall
who are now in the city, Mr.. McAdoo, Mr..
Stahlnecker, Mr.. Wilkins, Mr.. Merriman and
Mr.. Lawlor are quoted as experiencing some
what change of heart. The sentiment of
the northwestern congressman is that the
free trade sentiment is growing in that sec
ton. Democratic representatives from In
diana and Michigan have the highest conf
dence that their two States can be made
Democratic upon tariff reform. Mr.. Layman
of Ohio, Republican, comes out for a re-
duction of revenue. Many other Republi-
cans like Mr.. Layman agree that something
must be done with the tariff, though few
like Messrs. Sawyer and Bacon of New York
and jackson of Pennsylvania think nothing
will be done at this session. Many ways of
reducing the surplus are suggested. Quite
tive Catchings of Mississippi, Shurley of In
diana, Taulbee and Caruth of Kentucky and
Abbott of Texas, favor compromise such as
taking the tax off tobacco. The proposition
to take the tax off whisky hardly finds a
supporter. The question of putting sugar on
the free list finds some advocates, but mainly
among Republicans. The Louisiana CON
gressmen. to whom this is very vital ques-
ton, say their State is divided, the northern
portion in favor of free sugar and the gulf
section opposed to it. The Democratic senti-
ment is largely in favor of increasing the
free list, adding to it salt, lumber and the
necessaries of life. Representative Bynum,
of Indiana, thinks that good bill to reduce
the tariff can be passed without the support
of Mr.. Randall, and he adds that the Re
publieans of the West and Northwest are be-
ginning to feel that they cannot longer op-
pose such measure with political
safety. Representative Turner, of Kansas,
comes forward with a new proposition to
subsidize export grains Quite number of
fore the tariff matter comes up in the House.
Views on the postal telegraph are both di-
verse and interesting. Unlike the tariff it is
not party question. The representatives
who favor it are quite numerous. Mr.. Whit
tehorne, of Tennessee, thinks the government
can support telegraphic system as it did
the postal system beginning with the wires
between large cities. Mr.. jackson of Penn
sy1vania, favors experimental line be-
tween Philadelphia and New York. Mr..
Browne, of Indiana, would probably support
q well condensed scheme, and Mr.. Whiting,
of Michigan, would favor the project if it
was started on a sound basis. Rep
Waller, Stone and Wade, of Michigan,
favor a government telegraph, the latter
wanting the government to appropriate ten
millions for the purpose. Mr.. WOODBURY., of
Nevada, favors the purchase of existing lines.
On the other hand the arguments against
government ownership as given by Mr.. Hut
ton of Missouri, Mr.. Wise of Virginia, Mr..
Merriman of Kentucky and number of oth-
ers are that the government ought not to in
crease its civil list by fifty thousand telegraph
operators; that the government ought not to
go into private business and that the scheme
is unwise and undemocratic. All of the
congressman, however, with one or two ex-
eeptions, such as Mr.. Taulbee of Kentucky,
agree that strong pressure will be made to
bring the matter before the present Congress
and they seem willing to devote some time to
a thorough discussion of it.
Not doubt is expressed by either Demo
Gratis or Republicans as to the denomination
of President Cleveland and the Democrats
are certain of his election. The unanimous
sentiment is that the Democratic candidate
for vice president must come from the West.
Indiana congressman favor Governor Gray
Mr.. Villas has some friends in Texas; the
Illinois delegation is divided between Black
and Stevenson. while Mr.. Blanchard of
Louisiana regards Cleveland and VOORHEES, as
an invincibly ticket. Republican congress
men usually favor Mr.. Blaine, although Ohio
members mention Mr.. Sherman. Represents
tative Cannon of Illinois, who was chairman
of the Judiciary committee when the Repub
lcans controlled the House, thinks Mr.. Blaine
could carry his State better than anybody
else, but says unless the candidate can carry
New York the party will be de4eated.